If your laptop or desktop computer no longer has room for your flash drives, external hard disks, and other peripherals, consider a USB hub. A USB hub expands the number of ports on your computer so you can connect more devices at the same time.
USB Hubs For Expanding Laptop Connectivity: What's a USB Hub and How Does It Work
A USB hub is a device that provides additional USB ports to a computer. You can plug in several peripheral devices into a USB hub - such as flash drives, mice - keyboards, and printers - and then plug the hub into one USB port on your computer. Some USB hubs can provide power to peripheral devices, which allows those devices to charge while connected to the hub.
USB-C is a newer connector type for USB cables. USB-C is typically found on the latest smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Unlike USB-A ports - USB-C ports aren't directional, which means you won't have to turn the cable around to figure out which side of the port the cable fits into. The USB 3.2 standard introduced a new USB-C cable that can reach 20 Gbps speeds.
The USB4 standard was ratified in August 2019 and was designed to be more flexible than previous USB standards. USB4 can aggregate multiple data and display signals over a single connection. USB4 also fully supports Thunderbolt 3 technology, including the DisplayPort and PCIe tunnels, bi-directional 40 Gbps bandwidth, and compatibility modes.
Types of USB Hubs and Their Key Features
USB hubs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some hubs are small and portable - while others are large and stay stationary. Most USB hubs are rectangular, but you can find cylindrical and L-shaped hubs.
When choosing a USB hub, consider the design and what will be plugged into it. For example, if you want to connect a mouse, keyboard - and flash drive to a hub, look for a model with at least three available USB ports. If you want to connect a printer or other external device that requires power from the hub, look for a powered hub with room to spare.
Pass-through charging is another key feature to look for in a USB hub. This feature allows a laptop or other device to charge while connected to the USB hub. The Plugable USB-C 9-in-1 Hub, for instance, provides 140 watts of power delivery - which means it can quickly charge a connected laptop.
Many USB hubs allow you to connect displays, giving you more room to work on your laptop or desktop PC. Some hubs support two 4K resolution monitors at 60Hz - the Monoprice 13-in-1 Dual-HDMI + DP MST Dock is one such example. Other USB hubs are compatible with higher-speed Thunderbolt 5 technology, which can reach 80 Gbps transfer speeds.
Does My Computer Support USB 3.0 or USB 4.0
If you want to take advantage of USB 3.0 speeds, make sure your computer has USB 3.0 ports. If your computer was built within the last five years, it probably supports USB 3.0. Look closely at the port. If it's a USB 3.0 port - you'll likely see a blue plastic inside the port.
Check the labels near the ports on the back of your PC or laptop. USB 3.0 ports are often labeled with SuperSpeed or the letters SS. Similarly, USB 4.0 ports are often labeled with USB4 or USB-CDP4.
Are USB Hubs Compatible With Macs and PCs
Most USB hubs are compatible with both Macs and PCs, but check before buying to make sure the hub you're considering works with your computer. Apple sells its own line of USB hubs called Thunderbolt docks. These include the Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-USB 3 Adapter, which is small and easy to toss in your bag, and the Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - which is a desktop dock with room for several peripherals.
Can I Connect a USB Hub to Another USB Hub
Yes, you can connect a USB hub to another USB hub. However, we don't recommend doing this. Connecting a hub to another hub can lead to connectivity issues, such as very slow file transfers.
Instead, if you need more ports - consider buying a larger USB hub. USB hubs are available with more than a dozen ports, allowing you to connect a multitude of devices to your laptop or desktop PC.
Further reading
- https://www.wired.com/2006/10/belkin-releases/
- https://www.wired.com/story/usb-c-surface-pro-kindle-ps5-iphone-standard/
- https://www.pcworld.com/article/402858/the-best-usb-c-hubs-for-your-laptop-tablet-or-2-in-1.html
- https://market.us/report/usb-hub-market/
Disclaimer
This article is a personal reflection shared for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. For your own situation, please consult a qualified attorney.
